Sarguilla nabigyan ng pagkakataong makaresbak sa Thai boxer

SA tulong ng Games and Amusements Board (GAB) ay magkakaroon ng rematch sa pagitan nina Romshane Sarguilla ng Pilipinas at Siridech Deebook ng Thailand sa Nobyembre.

Ito ay naisakatuparan matapos na magpadala ng “protest letter” si GAB chairman Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra sa World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian Boxing Council at Thailand Boxing Commission para iparating ang hinaing ni Sarguilla na “ninakawan” siya ng panalo sa kanilang laban sa Bangkok, Thailand nitong Agosto 17.

Sa laban na iyon ay natalo si Sarguilla sa isang makontrobersiyang unanimous decision sa iskor na 58-56 at 58-56 para sa Thai fighter at 57-56 para sa Pilipino.Sa protest letter ng GAB, sinabi ni Mitra na napabagsak ni Sarguilla si Deebook sa laban pero hindi ito ibinilang na isang “knockdown” ng mga Thai officials ng WBC Asia. Kung itinawag sana ito ng reperi na isang lehitimong knockdown ay maaaring napunta kay Sarguilla ang panalo.

Sa sagot na liham para kay Mitra, pinuri ni Thailand boxing promoter Bank Thainchai Pisitwuttina ang chairman ng GAB sa layunin nitong maitama ang mali sa tamang proseso.

Dahil dito ay sinabi ng naturang Thai promoter na ikakasa nito ang isang rematch sa Nobyembre at payag silang magkaroon ng isang Pilipinong reperi sa naturang laban.

Inalok din nito si Sarguilla ng 30 percent increase sa kanyang fight purse.

“Our promotion has a long and great relationship with the Filipino boxing community for several decades. We deeply respect the Filipino boxing community and we truly hope to continue our great collaborations and relationship with everyone in the community,” sabi ng email ng Thai official kay Mitra.

“I would like to show my deep appreciation to Chairman Mitra and the GAB committees for working hard to ensure the safety and welfare of professional boxing stakeholders. I would like to extend my appreciation to WBC Asia, the officials and teams for the great efforts in seeking for the best solution for all parties.”

Ayon sa opisyal na pahayag mula kay Mitra, sinabi niyang, “We appreciate the immediate and positive response of the Thai promoter. We already communicated his response with the manager Mr. Brico Santig. He said he will discuss the proposed rematch with the boxer Romshane Sarguilla first then he will get back to us as soon as they agree on the offer considering the proposed date of the rematch will be 90 days from the date of the protested fight.”

Dagdag pa ni Mitra, “Seemingly, the intention of the Thai promoter to offer a rematch in November is good but we’ll also have to check if by that time Sarguilla is still qualified. Hopefully he maintains a regional ranking and complies with all qualifications for fights abroad.”